Chicago Grays win 65-and-over MSBL World Series

MSBL World Series


Congrats, to the Chicago Grays, winner of the 65-and-over championship game today at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series. The title game was held at Maryvale Stadium and the Chicago Grays beat the San Antonio Red Sox, 13-2.

The Tucson Aces lost to the Grays 21-1 and to the Red Sox 12-4 during pool play earlier in the week.

Two Weeks at the MSBL World Series

Fun at the MSBL World Series


Since 2009, I have made the jaunt one hundred and ten miles north to Phoenix to play in the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

This year I played two weeks -- the first week with the 70-and-over Arizona Scorpions and the second week with the Tucson Aces, made up of members from our local 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers club.

Personally, I was lucky enough to step to the plate 36 times during the prestigious senior tournament. With the Scorpions I hit well, going 10 for 17 and a walk. With the Aces, not quite as good -- 6 for 17 and a walk. All in all, 16 for 34 officially for a .471 average. I'll take it.

Injury wise, some scrapes and bruises...and a slight upper hamstring pull on the final day. The latter may take some time to heal. What hurts most about the latter is the fact I was on second base, got a bad jump, when my teammate laid down a bunt, and I dove head first into third -- a split second behind the force out.

In nine months, I officially will be 70 years old. Do you think I'll send my body through such shenanigans next year? You bet!

After all, it's not if we won or lost (we won three of ten games -- five of the losses within three runs), nor is it how many hits or errors I made, instead it's the camaraderie with my teammates, the anticipation -- the high if you will before each game (all played at a major league spring training facility in and around Phoenix), the after-game antics at the local pub (dissecting the good and the bad plays we made) and the idea that tomorrow's game will last three hours and every moment, every play will be something we will remember for years to come.

Take for instance:

Brian Reilly, playing in his first ever MSBL World Series. Brian, one of the youngest members of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers, hit safely in his first two at bats for the Tucson Aces -- and each time he returned to the dugout at the end of the inning, he was smiling from ear to ear.

Or...

Marcos Garcia, a 77-year-old second baseman from Puerto Rico, who played the first week on our Arizona Scorpions team. He could turn a double play with the best of them. He injured his elbow later in the tournament and was forced to sit out the remainder of the World Series.

Or...

Bob Daliege, a catcher and teammate on our Tucson Aces' team. Bob will remember for years to come the play he made in our 9-8 win over Team America. Up by one run in the ninth inning with two outs, there was a play at the plate. Relay throws from outfielder Dennis Crowley to pitcher Ron Petersen who then threw a strike to the plate... and the tag by Daliege as the runner slid into home for the final out of the game.

I can't wait til next year.

Jadon "The Jet" Price rambles for 3 touchdowns

Ironwood Ridge Frosh football

Grandson Jadon Price scored three touchdowns at Ironwood Ridge High School last night as the Nighthawks' freshmen overwhelmed visiting Vista Grande, 51-14.

Jadon and the Nighthawks end their impressive season with a 7-1 record and most of their wins came in blowout fashion, which meant Jadon, a starting running back, needed to make the most out of his limited playing time.

Playing 10-minute quarters, Jadon would see on an average of about 25 minutes of playing time before the Nighthawks' head coach Adam Watters would send in the second unit. Last night was more of the same as Jadon scored on runs of four, five and 10 yards to give the Nighthawks a big lead at halftime. On the first series of downs, it was all Jadon with 45 yards rushing, ending with the first score of the game and he added a two-point rushing conversion for good measure.

Jadon finishes the season with eight touchdowns and is now chomping at the bit for Season 2 and a chance to play his sophomore year on the Nighthawks' junior varsity team. He's edging closer to becoming a varsity player for Ironwood Ridge -- a school with one of the best high school programs in the state.

Way to go, Jadon. You're right where you need to be.

Photo: Above photo one of eight touchdowns by Jadon Price this season.

New England 13 Tucson Aces 10

MSBL World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces


It's over for the 65-and-over Tucson Aces.

New England held on to beat the Aces at Tempe Diablo Stadium this afternoon, 13-10.

Tucson Old Pueblo Club star Mike Morales, who started for New England today, left after seven innings with a slim 11-10 lead. Frank Castillo, also from the Old Pueblo Club, pitched two strong innings for New England and picked up the save. The Aces had a runner on in the top of the ninth, but Castillo fanned two of the last three batters to earn the save.

The Aces sent George Gafner, a member of the Tucson Arizona Rattlers, to the mound to start the game and was relieved by Arnie White and Chico Bigham, both members of the Tucson Old Timers club.

The Aces finish 1-4 this week at the MSBL World Series, while New England finished 2-3. Both teams failed to make the playoffs this year.

San Francisco Giants win World Series

MLB World Series


The San Francisco Giants beat the Royals 3-2 in Kansas City tonight and win the World Series, again!

Once again, it's Madison Bumgarner to the rescue with five strong innings of relief -- two wins as a starter, one as a reliever.

Giants win third World Series in five years.

Royals force Game 7

MLB World Series


Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura blanked San Francisco for seven inning as the Royals evened the MLB World Series at three games apiece with a 10-0 thumping of the Giants tonight in Kansas City.

Ventura allowed just three hits. He struck out four and walked five and received plenty of run support -- especially from Lorenzo Cain, who went 2 for 3, walked twice, scored once and drove in three runs.

Tomorrow night it's for all the marbles as the Royals send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound, while the Giants counter with Tim Hudson -- a rematch of Game 3.

San Antonio Red Sox 12 Tucson Aces 4

MSBL World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces


The Aces lost in the fourth round of the MSBL World Series today at Riverview Park in Mesa, falling to San Antonio, 12-4.

Chico Bigham pitched nine strong innings, but took the loss and the Aces are 1-3 going into the final pool play games on Wednesday. The Aces play at Tempe Diablo Stadium against New England (1-3), a team that has nine players from the Tucson south side -- all members of the Old Pueblo Club.

The Aces, made up of players from the Tucson Old Timers who play at Udall Park three times a week, would need a win over the New England Red Sox to have any shot at the playoffs.

It'll be a Tucson baseball reunion at the ballpark tomorrow -- The Aces and the Red Sox. Game time: 3 p.m.

In today's game Tim Tolson, Pigpen Price, Dennis Crowley, Dave Rhoades, Arnie White and Bob Daliege all hit safely as did Ron Petersen, who hit a booming double over the head of the right fielder.

Team Priceless improves to 7-1 in fantasy league

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


Team Priceless is one of two teams with a 7-1 record in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League after Week 8 of the NFL season.

Once again Indy's Andrew Luck (34.60) and Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown (25.80) piled up the fantasy points for Team Priceless, winning by the biggest margin of victory this week in the 14-team league, 126.20-68.54.

Suh-nami is tied with Team Priceless for the best fantasy record, but leads by 18 in total fantasy points and takes over first place in the league.

Tucson Aces take it on the chin

MSBL World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces


The Tucson Aces will try to even their record at 2-2 today at Riverview Park, spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, when they take on the San Antonio Red Sox in a fourth-round game at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

Coming of a 21-1 drubbing yesterday at the hands of the unbeaten Chicago Grays (3-0), the Aces are now in a must win situation. Another loss and chances are slim the Aces, made up of members of the Tucson Old Timers baseball club -- which plays weekly at Udall Park, will qualify for Thursday's playoffs in the 65-and-over division.

As for yesterday's game, it wasn't pretty. The Aces' starter Arnie White was shelled early and the Tucson team was down 9-0 after just two innings of play.

Dennis Crowley had three hits, while knocking in the lone run and Pigpen Price went 2 for 3 for the Aces.

Arizona Wildcats move up a notch in AP Poll

Arizona Wildcats Football


The Arizona Wildcats are No. 14 this week in the AP Poll.

Arizona remains ahead of No. 15 ASU, No. 18 Utah and No. 25 UCLA. Oregon (7-1), its only loss to the Wildcats, hang in at No. 5.

Mississippi State (7-0) stays in at No. 1.

Bumgarner too much for Royals, again!

MLB World Series


Madison Bumgarner had done it again.

Bumgarner tosses a complete-game shutout and the Giants roll to a 5-0 win in San Francisco tonight over the Kansas City Royals and take a 3-2 lead in the MLB World Series.

The Giants led 2-0 for most of the game and added three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth for good measure. Bamgarner allows just four hits and strikes out eight.

The series moves back to Kansas City for game 6 on Tuesday night.

Tucson Aces 9 Team America 8

MSBL World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces

A relay throw to the plate in the ninth inning wins it!

With two-out and the tying run heading for home, centerfielder Dennis Crowley threw to pitcher Ron Petersen, who turned and threw to catcher Bob Daliege for the final out of the game today at the Colorado Rockies' spring training complex in Scottsdale. Daliege applied the tag and the 65-and-over Tucson Aces won their first game at the MSBL World Series, 9-8, over Team America from Wisconsin.

The Aces, 1-1, held a 9-5 lead heading into the ninth inning, but an infield error and two walks loaded the bases for Team America (0-2). With two outs and three runs in, Crowley ran down a single to left center and fired his relay throw to Petersen.

Petersen's throw was right on the money and the Aces, after a 26-6 devastating loss on Saturday to Canada, bounced back and grabbed their first win of the senior World Series. The Aces' Tim Tolson and Brian Reilly drilled RBI-triples today.

The Aces take on the unbeaten (2-0) Chicago Grays tomorrow at 12:30 at Tempe Diablo, annex field #4.

Giants beat Kansas City 11-4

MLB World Series


It was all San Francisco in San Francisco tonight.

The Giants even the MLB World Series at 2-2 with an 11-4 win over the Kansas City Royals. Hunter Pence led the Giants' hitting attack with three hits in five trips to the plate --including two doubles. He scored twice and drove in three runs.

Red Deer Legends 26 Tucson Aces 6

MSBL World Series

65-and-over-division

Tucson Aces


The Tucson Aces jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the top of the third inning over the Red Deer Legends from Canada, but couldn't hold off the Canadians in the later innings and fall 26-6 in the first round of the 65-and-over division at the MSBL World Series.

Playing at the Cleveland Indians' spring training complex in Goodyear, the Aces gave up three runs in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded double. Aces' starter Arnie White left the mound after four innings with the game tied a 5-all, but the next four innings the Canadian bats came alive and outscored Tucson 21-1 the rest of the way.

Brian Reilly, playing in his first ever MSBL World Series, had two hits in his first two trips to the plate to lead the Aces.

The Aces travel to Scottsdale tomorrow for a second-round game against Team America. Game time: 10 a.m. at Salt River, field 4.

Wildcats bounce back!

Arizona Wildcats Football


The 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats bounce back!

Arizona scores 24 points in the first quarter and goes on to beat Washington State 59-37 tonight in Pullman. Anu Solomon tosses five touchdown passes and throws for 294 yards, while Terris Jones-Grigsby rushes for 107 yards on 13 carries.

Devonte Neal provided the early excitement for the Wildcats -- returning a punt for 81 yards for a touchdown to start the game and scored on a 2-yard TD reception from Solomon with 3:55 left in the opening quarter.

Arizona moves to 6-1 on the season and 3-1 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Royals up 2-1 in World Series

MLB World Series


The Kansas City Royals edged the Giants tonight 3-2 in San Francisco and take a 2-1 lead in the MLB World Series.

The Royals' starter Jeremy Guthrie out-dueled the Giants' starter Tim Hudson for five innings and Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon knocked in runs to lead Kansas City. The Royals' bullpen did the job in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Jason Vargas takes the mound for the Royals tomorrow and Ryan Vogelsong gets the call for the Giants.

Price, Petersen, White top hitters at MSBL

MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

Arizona Scorpions


After five games at the 70-and-over MSBL World Series, Pigpen Price led the Tucson Connection with 10 hits in 17 at bats for a .588 average. Ron Petersen finished second with .437 average (7 for 16) and Arnie White third at .421 (8 for 19). Chico Bigham finished the round-robin games with a .300 average (3 for 10), Eddie Eckert .222 (4 for 18) and Jeff Helzel at .211 (5 for 19 with six RBIs).

On the mound, it was Petersen leading the way with a 1-0 record, while Bigham finished 0-1 and recorded a save. Phil Webster, the Scorpions' workhorse from Canby, Indiana, went 1-2 this week.

MSBL Update: The final results of the 70-and-over division released tonight shows the Arizona Scopions (2-3) finishing in seventh place -- one spot short of the playoffs. The 65-and-over Tucson Aces, made up of players from the Tucson Old Timers, begin play in the MSBL World Series on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Goodyear at the Cleveland Indians' spring training complex.

MSBL Update: The Ohio Classics won six games in a row to win the 70-and-over division of the MSBL World Series. The Classic beat the Sacramento Solons 9-5 for the title.

Padres 7 Scorpions 4

MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

Arizona Scorpions


The San Diego Padres (4-0-1), the top seeded team heading into the playoffs, edged the Arizona Scorpions (2-3) today at the Chicago Cubs' Riverview Complex in Mesa 7-4 in the fifth round of the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

The playoffs begin tomorrow morning and the pairings will be out later this evening. The Scorpions, due to the fact they have allowed only 31 runs in five games, has a shot at the sixth and final play of spot. Two games are in progress and the results should be available by 6 p.m.

In today's game the Scorpions dug a hole early and were down 6-0 after one inning of play. For the next eight innings, the Scorpions outscored the Padres 4-1. The Scorpions had their chances during the five round-robin games, losing 8-7 twice and winning 22-4 and 9-4 and losing by just three to the Padres today.

Arnie White from Tucson went 2 for 4 today and Ron Petersen, also from Tucson, went 2 for 3 -- including an RBI-double in the ninth inning. Pigpen Price went 1 for 3 and a walk and was on base three times. Price went 10 for 17 for a .588 average in the five games.

Tucsonan Chico Bigham pitched seven strong innings and Tom Barrow, from Westcliffe, Colorado pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Royals even World Series at 1-1

MLB World Series


The Royals score five runs in the sixth inning -- including a two-run homer by Omar Infante and go on to defeat San Francisco 7-2 tonight in Kansas City to even the World Series at 1-1.

The World Series shifts to San Francisco for the next three games. Jeremy Guthrie gets the start on Friday for the Kansas City Royals, while Tim Hudson will be on the mound for San Francisco.

Arizona Scorpions 9 Dodgertown 4

MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

Arizona Scorpions

The Arizona Scorpions evened their record at the MSBL World Series to 2-2 with a 9-4 win today over Dodgertown at the Salt River Complex -- the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Scorpions, left 15 runners on base, but managed to bang out 14 hits and escaped with their second win a row, putting them in line for a possible playoff berth with a win tomorrow over the San Diego Padres -- a game to be held at the Chicago Cubs' Riverview Complex in Mesa, beginning at 10 a.m.

Pigpen Price and Chico Bigham, both from Tucson, each had two hits today -- Price 2 for 4 and Bigham 2 for 3. Price is 9 for 14 in the World Series. Dohrman Sinclair and Tony Contreres, both from Phoenix, also contributed two hits apiece.

Scorpions' workhorse Phil Webster (1-2) from Canby, Indiana pitched eight innings today and allowed just one earned run to pick up the win, while Bigham earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Arnie White, Ed Eckert and Ron Petersen, three members of the Tucson Old Timers, were part of the Scorpions' hitting attack today -- all three going 1 for 4.

Scorpions' manager Jerry Hamelin was happy with the win, but would like to see his troops cut down on the mental errors. "We played pretty good defensively, but we made a lot of mental errors today and were lucky enough to pull out the win."

Hamelin will redo the lineup tonight and bat just 10 players tomorrow. "We need to turn over our lineup as many times as possible, giving the guys who are hitting the ball well another at bat or two."

It's a win or go home scenario, so Hamelin will deplete his pitching staff if he has to. Available to pitch tomorrow are Petersen, a lefty who is 1-0 in the tournament, Bigham, Webster and Tommy Barrow, a right-hander from Westcliff, Colorado.

A "Bummer" for Royals in opener of MLB WS

MLB World Series


Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants beat the Royals 7-1 in Kansas City tonight in the  opener of the 2014 MLB World Series.

Bumgarner hurls seven innings, allows one run, strikes out five and walks one, while San Francisco's big blow came from Hunter Pence who hit a two-run homer in the first inning.

Salvador Perez homered for the Royals in the seventh inning for Kansas City's only run.

Arizona Scorpions 24 Tri Valley 4

2014 MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

Arizona Scorpions


The Arizona Scorpions banged out 25 hits today in Goodyear in a third-round game of the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series and routed Tri Valley of San Francisco 24-4.

The Tucson connection consisting of Arnie White, Pigpen Price, Jeff Helzel, Eddie Eckert, Ron Petersen and Chico Bigham collected 16 of the 25 hits. White went 5 for 5 today, while Price went 4 for 5 and scored five times. Helzel, the Scorpions cleanup batter, had three hits and six RBIs. Eckert went 2 for 4, Petersen 1 for 3 and Bigham 1 for 3.

Petersen, a lefty, pitched six innings and picked up the win as the Scorpions improved to 1-2 at the senior World Series. The Arizona Scorpions will go after their second win on Wednesday when they take on Dodgertown at 10 a.m. at the Arizona Diamondbacks' training facility in Scottsdale.

Wildcats ranked 15th in AP Football Poll

Arizona Wildcats Football


The Arizona Wildcats moved to 15th in this week's Associated Press Poll.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Team Priceless 6-1 in fantasy football League

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


Team Priceless lost its first game of the season today in the UPC Hood Fantasy football League, falling to Clam Jamers (4-3) by 19 fantasy points. Team Priceless once again received the majority of their fantasy points from Indy quarterback Andrew Luck and Pittsburgh's receiver Antonio Brown, but the rest of the starting lineup failed to put up big numbers.

Team Priceless remains in first place after seven weeks, but now has company with two other teams at 6-1, Lazer Katz and suh-nami --all with one loss.

Scorpions fall to South Dakota 8-7

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over Arizona Scorpions

2nd round game at Maryvale Stadium


The Arizona Scorpions are battling at the 2014 MSBL World Series.

Today the Scorpions battled back from a 4-0 deficit and took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning against South Dakota but couldn't hold the lead in the last two innings as the Rushmores strung together enough hits in the top of the eighth and ninth and escaped with an 8-7 win.

Chico Bigham of Tucson pitched the first six innings and gave way to reliever Phil Webster from Camby, Indiana in the seventh. Jeff Helzel and Pigpen Price, both from Tucson, had four of the Scorpions 14 hits today -- Helzel 2 for 4 and two runs batted in and Price collected two hits in two at bats. Ron Petersen had another hit today and has three hits at the World Series after two games, while Price is 3 for 5.

The Scorpions take on Tri Valley tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at the Goodyear Complex, spring training home of the Cleveland Indians. The Scorpions need a win over Tri Valley and a win Wednesday over Dodgertown to have a shot at the playoffs.

"We hit better today, but didn't get the key hit when we needed it," said manager Jerry Hamelin.

Scorpions' Note: Our Puerto Rico connection -- Jorge Fuentes and Marcos Garcia -- went 5 for 7 today. Tucsonan Arnie White dropped down two sacrifice bunts and scored a run.

7-run inning by Scorpions falls short

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over Arizona Scorpions

The Arizona Scorpions, down 8-0, rally for seven runs in the top of the eighth inning but fall one run short and lose their 2014 Men's Senior Baseball League World Series opener today at the Tempe Diablo annex field 8-7 to the Chicago Skyliners.

The Scorpions, held to just one hit through seven innings, exploded in the eighth -- the final inning of the game, when Pigpen Price of Tucson ripped a two-out bases-loaded single to left for the Scorpions first run of the game. Before the dust settled, the Scorpions tacked on six more runs and had the tying run on base at third and the go-ahead run at first.

Seventy-seven year old Marco Garcia, from Puerto Rico, ripped a shot down the first baseline, unfortunately for the Scorpions the ball sailed into the glove of the Skyliners' first baseman to end the game.

Ron Petersen of Tucson had two hits for the Scorpions. Petersen's infield hit started the rally in the eighth, while teammates Chico Bigham and Arnie White, both from Tucson, also reached base during the Scorpions' rally.

"We lost the game in the first seven innings," said Scorpions' manager Jerry Hamelin. "We finished with just seven hits in the game. We'll see if we can do a better job tomorrow."

The game had a controversial ending. Both the home plate umpire and the base ump had different starting times for the game on their watches. In the end, the conclusion was to call the game due to the three-hour rule.

The Scorpions ran out of time.

Scorpions' note: Phil Webster, from Camby, Indiana, pitched seven innings for the Scorpions. Playing with a a bad hip, Webster,72, kept the Scorpions within striking distance.

A Wild Card World Series!

NLCS


Travis Ishikawa belted a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in San Francisco tonight as the Giants knocked off the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 and win the National League Championship Series, four games to one.

The Giants head for Kansas City and take on the Royals on Tuesday in the first game of the World Series. Two WILD CARD teams playing for all the marbles.

Nighthawks remain undefeated!

Ironwood Ridge Freshmen Football


Grandson Jadon Price rushed for 137 yards on eight carries and caught four passes for 50 yards to lead the Ironwood Ridge Freshmen football team to a 52-27 win tonight over Mountain View.

Price scored on the second play of the game when he broke through the right side of Mountain View's  defensive line and rambled 60 yards for the touchdown. Price scored in the second half on a 30-yard TD reception and added two 2-point conversions for 16 of the Nighthawks' 52 points.

Jadon and the Nighthawks remain unbeaten at 6-0 and travel to Salpointe next Thursday.

Giants on the brink of another World Series

NLCS


The San Francisco Giants are one win away from another trip to the World Series.

The Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 tonight in San Francisco and take a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series.

The Giants and Cardinals go at in Game 5 tomorrow night. Adam Wainwright goes for the Cardinals and Madison Bumgarner takes the mound for the Giants.

Royals Sweep!

ALCS


The Kansas City Royals are heading for the World Series.

The Royals edge Baltimore in Kansas City today, 2-1. They return to the World Series after 29 years of frustration. Kansas City won it all in 1985.

This year, they have the momentum to do it again. Eight straight postseason wins -- a wild card win, a sweep in the ALDS and a 4-0 run in the ALCS.

Congrats, Royals!

Royals one win away

MLB LCS


The Kansas City Royals are one win away from the World Series.

The Royals win 2-1 tonight and take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS, while over in the NLCS,  San Francisco is up two games to one after a throwing error in the 10th inning gives the Giants a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals earlier today.

With a win tomorrow, the Royals will punch their ticket to the World Series. The last time Kansas City played in the World Series was 1985.

Team Priceless 6-0 in UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


Team Priceless is 6-0 in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League.

My team isn't exactly blowing away opponents. In Week 6 of the NFL, Team Priceless edges Team Arps, 95.00 to 92.10, once again riding the arm of Andrew Luck, who throws for 370 yards and tosses three touchdown passes (worth 31.60 fantasy points).

Team Priceless, the only unbeaten team in the 14-team fantasy league, takes on the Clam Jamers (3-3) next week.

All is not lost -- Wildcats No 16 this week in AP Poll

Arizona Wildcats Football


Okay. We lost one.

At 5-1, the Arizona Wildcats drop six spots in the AP Poll and are ranked No. 16 this week. Still in the hunt for a Pac-12 title, the Wildcats have earned a little respect nationally. Oregon dropped seven spots to No. 9, while the "bad guys" to the north -- the Arizona State Sun Devils, are ranked No. 17.

The Utah Utes are ranked No. 20, Southern Cal, on the strength of its two-point win over Arizona, jump into the top-25 at No. 22 and Stanford is ranked No. 23. UCLA didn't quite sneak into the top-25, but are knocking at the door.

Oh, yes. The new No. 1 is  Mississippi State.

70-and-over Arizona Scorpions open play in the MSBL World Series on Sunday

MSBL World Series

Arizona Scorpions

70-and-over division

First game: Sunday, Oct. 19

Game time: 9:00 a.m.

Park: Tempe Diablo Complex (annex field No. 5)

Address: 2200 West Alameda Dr. Tempe, Arizona 85282

Players: Chico Bigham

              Pigpen Price

              Ron Petersen

              Ed Eckert

              Jerry Hamelin

              Jeff Helzel

              Arnie White

*All seven players members of the Tucson Old Timers Baseball Club

**link to MSBL website -- http://msblnational.com (click on Tournaments and World Series to get schedule, standings, results and parks)


           


   

Cardinals use the home run ball to even NLCS

National League Championship Series


The St. Louis Cardinals belted four home runs tonight at Busch Stadium -- including a walk-off solo shot by second baseman Kolten Wong in the bottom of the ninth inning to grab a 5-4 win and even the NLCS at a game apiece.

Matt Carpenter, Oscar Taveras and Matt Adams also homered for the Cardinals. St. Louis, on the verge of losing the first two games of the  NLCS at home, needed all four round-trippers to get the job done. The Cardinals won the game tonight but they may have lost their all-star catcher Yadier Molina, who strained an oblique muscle in the sixth inning.

The series continues in San Francisco on Tuesday.

USC freezes Arizona, 28-26

Arizona Wildcats Football


It looked like the "magic" was still with the 10th-ranked and unbeaten Arizona Wildcats as they score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and with 17 seconds remaining set up for a 36-yard field goal to beat USC Saturday night at Arizona Stadium in front of 56,000 screaming fans.

Unfortunately, USC freezes the kicker for the second time in the game and the final field goal try by Casey Skowron is wide right. If the ball had sailed through the upright, Arizona would have moved to 6-0 on the season, move further up the national standings and remain as top dog in the Pac-12 Conference.

Instead, the USC strategy works and the boot floats to the right and the Wildcats fall to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

With Arizona's top two running backs Terris Jones-Grigsby and Nick Wilson on the sideline, nursing injuries, Jerad Baker picks up the slack and rushes for two touchdowns and hauls in a TD pass from Anu Solomon to lead the Wildcats, who were down 28-13 to start the fourth quarter.

Solomon finished the night 43 for 72 and 395 passing yards, while Baker rushed for 43 yards on 12 carries, but it was another slow start in the first half by the Wildcats as they scored just two field goals and trailed at intermission, 14-6. It was more of the same in the third quarter as the Trojans outscored the Wildcats 14-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats made their move, getting their first score on a 41-yard TD pass from Solomon to Baker with 10:19 left in the game and pulled within two points on a 1-yard run by Baker with 1:07 remaining.

Arizona fails to tie the game as Baker is knocked back at the goal line, but on the ensuing onside kick, the Wildcats prevail as Cayleb Jones grabs the ball out of the night sky and Arizona is in line for another improbable victory.

Solomon moved the Wildcats down the field, setting up a game-winning field goal try at the 26 yard line. Skowron's boot went through the upright, but USC had called timeout -- freezing the kicker.

Skowron's next attempt brought back some old Wildcat wounds.

Tough loss for the Wildcats!

The spotlight is on the Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Football

The day of the Wildcat...Oct. 11, 2014.

The spotlight is on our 10th-ranked Arizona Wildcats. The leader in the Pac-12 and one of a hand full of unbeaten Division 1 NCAA team's in the country, our 5-0 Wildcats can silence all the critics with a win over Southern California tomorrow night at Arizona Stadium.

A win over the Trojans in front of a sold out crowd and a national TV audience will not only open the bowl talk, but every Wildcat fan will raise their hands to the night sky and yell in unison, "FINALLY!" Finally, our little team in the desert has its shot at the big time.


A win tomorrow will make the Wildcats bowl eligible. Can we really start to thinking of a prestigious bowl game? Not hardly. With Washington State, UCLA, Colorado, Washington, Utah and Arizona State still looming...well, we're just getting started.

But a loss? A loss would bring us all back to earth and I have a feeling Wildcat fans are in no hurry to return. We're in no hurry to be that so-so, middle of the pack football team. We all want to continue the ride...continue the run to bigger and better things. No longer are we looking to squeeze in as a  bowl eligible team -- wishing and praying for a holiday bowl game in El Paso, Albuquerque or Las Vegas. This is not the year to think small. A win, and we can thing BIG!

My goodness, fans of the long-suffering Arizona Wildcats have come full circle. The spotlight is now on our Wildcats and not the USC Trojans. The Trojans come to town 3-2, that's 3-2, yet they are favored to win.

It takes time to earn respect. Even two straight wins over Oregon hasn't done the trick.

Win tomorrow night and we'll have that respect.

Go, Wildcats!

Ironwood Ridge Freshmen 37 Tucson High 14

Ironwood Ridge High School Freshmen Football


Grandson Jadon Price and the rest of the Nighthawks' starters took most of the night off as the Ironwood Ridge Freshmen rolled over Tucson High 37-14 tonight at the Nighthawks' field.

Price rushed for 45 yards on just six carries in the first half. He also hauled in a pass on a two-point conversion and then spent the rest of the night on the sideline as the Nighthawks' coach cleared the bench in the final twenty minutes of regulation -- while a disgruntled Grandpa Price sat in the bleachers, wishing the score was a little closer.

Ironwood Ridge remains unbeaten and improves to 5-0 on the season and now prepare for their next encounter at Mountain View High School next Thursday. The Nighthawks have beaten Cienega, Marana, Canyon del Oro, Sahuaro and Tucson High. Ironwood Ridge will close out its season with games against Salpointe and Vista Grande.

Fantasy-point correction in Week 5 keeps Team Priceless undefeated

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


A fantasy-point error enables Team Priceless to remain unbeaten in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League after five weeks of NFL action.

Team Priceless is 5-0 after 10 fantasy points were added to its Week 5 totals. Indy quarterback Andrew Luck was awarded the additional points today, giving Team Priceless an 88.78 - 88.76 win over Ray Ray and Mookie.

Thanks, Yahoo! Makes this fantasy owner a happy camper this morning.

Giants win! Giants win!

MLB Playoffs


The San Francisco Giants held on to defeat Washington 3-2 tonight in San Francisco and advance to the National League Championship Series and will face the St Louis Cardinals in the series' opener on Saturday.

So, it's down to four -- Kansas City and Baltimore in the ALCS and the Giants and the Cardinals in NLCS.

Hats off to the former Diamondback Matt Williams, the manager of the Nationals. It was a great year for Washington and Williams.

St. Louis advances to NLCS

MLB Playoffs


The St. Louis Cardinals are heading for the National League Championship Series.

The Cardinals got all the runs they needed in the seventh inning today in St. Louis as Matt Adams drills a three-run homer off Clayton Kershaw for a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kershaw, pitching on three days rest, lost for the second time in the series. St. Louis reliever Marco Gonzales gets his second win in the series as the Cardinals close out the Dodgers three games to one.

Old Pueblo edges Aces, 9-8

Southwest Old Timers Baseball League

60-and-over baseball


Mike Morales knocked in Lou Russo with a bases-loaded single to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Old Pueblo Club edged the 60-and-over Tucson Aces 9-8 today at Santa Rita Park.

The Aces led 7-4 in the fourth inning and led 8-7 when they tacked on the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning. The Old Pueblo Club rallied in the bottom of the inning with an infield single by Russo, followed by three consecutive singles off Aces' lefty Dennis Crowley to grab the walk-off win.

Crowley was saddled with the loss and Old Pueblo reliever Gary Williams pitched the final two innings to pick up the victory. Williams, also a lefty, played in the Kansas City Royals' organization in the early 1970s and pitched in the Mexican Leagues in the late 70s and early 80s.

Players on both teams used the game as a tuneup in preparation for the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series, which will be held later this month in Phoenix, Arizona.

George Gafner, who will pitch for the Aces in the 65-and-over division at the senior World Series, hurled the first three innings for the Aces today, while Joe Jimenez, who will pitch in the 60-and-over and the 65-and-over division at the senior World Series threw the first three innings for the Old Pueblo Club.

In a final tuneup, the two teams will meet again next Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Udall Park.

Team Priceless runs out of Luck

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


My fantasy football team, Team Priceless, ran out of Luck in Week 5 of the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League, falling by the slimmest of margins (88.76- 87.78) to Ray Ray and Mookie. Indy quarterback Andrew Luck had been posting enough weekly fantasy points to keep me unbeaten, but not this week. Luck threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, while passing for 312 yards -- worth a little over 23 fantasy points.

Team Priceless falls to 4-1 on the season and now shares first place with three other teams in the 14-team league. Also at 4-1 are Ray Ray and Mookie, suh-nami and Lazar Kats.

Royals roll into ALCS

MLB playoffs


The Kansas City Royals are heading for the American League Championship Series.

The Royals knock off the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 tonight in Kansas City to sweep the ALDS three games to none and will take on the Baltimore Orioles to decide the American League pennant. The ALCS gets underway on Friday in Baltimore.

Mike Moustakas homers and Eric Hosmer hits a two-run shot for the Royals tonight as Kansas City takes down the Angels, the team which entered postseason play with the best won-lost percentage in baseball this year.

Orioles move on to ALCS

MLB Playoffs


The Baltimore Orioles sweep the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS and move on to the American League Championship Series. The Orioles win the opener at home 12-3, the second game 7-6 and capture today's game in Detroit, 2-1.

The Orioles beat Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Price. They earned it!

Nelson Cruz supplied the game-winner today with a two-run homer in the sixth inning off Price. Bud Norris gets the win, hurling 6 1/3 innings and allowing just two hits. Norris walked two, struck out six and held the Tigers scoreless.

Arizona jumps to No. 10 in AP Poll

Arizona Wildcats Football


Look at our Arizona Wildcats now!

Arizona jumps to No. 10 in the latest Associated Press rankings, thanks to the Wildcats upset win last Thursday over the then ranked No. 2 Oregon Ducks. Oregon slips to No. 12, while UCLA follows at No. 18 and Arizona State sneaks in at No. 20. Stanford is ranked No. 25 this week and Southern California, after falling to ASU on Saturday, falls out of the top 25.

Arizona upsets No.2 Oregon

Arizona Wildcats Football


Nick Wilson scored three touchdowns in the third quarter and Terris Jones-Grigsby provided the winning touchdown with a 1-yard plunge late in the fourth quarter as Arizona upsets second-ranked Oregon 31-24 in Eugene tonight.

Wilson rushed for two scores -- one from two yards out and and another from three yards out -- and capped off the third quarter with a 34-yard TD catch from quarterback Anu Solomon, while Jones-Grigsby, who ended up with 115 rushing yards on the night, scored with 2:54 remaining in the game with the go-ahead touchdown.

Scooby Wright recovered a fumble during the ensuing drive by the Ducks to close out the game and the Wildcats walked away from Autzen Stadium with a stunning victory over Oregon.

Solomon engineered the Wildcats' victory, completing 20 of 31 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown. Jones-Grigsby added four catches for 95 yards and finished with 210 all-purpose yards.

Arizona improves to 2-0 in the Pac-12 and 5-0 overall.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Wild card games are history, it's down to eight

MLB Playoffs


The Kansas City Royals won the AL wild card game in 12 innings over the Oakland A's on Tuesday and tonight Madison Bumgarner tosses a four-hit 8-0 shutout as the San Francisco Giants beat the Pirates in the NL wild card game -- and now the real playoffs begin.

San Francisco vs. Washington

St. Louis vs. LA Dodgers

Detroit vs. Baltimore

Kansas City vs. LA Angels

It should be fun!

This die-hard fan will not bet against the Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Football


I will not predict a loss for my Arizona Wildcats this week.

Oregon (4-0) is at home and are favored by a couple of touchdowns and if you cornered a Duck fan on a street corner in Eugene, he or she would probably smile and say the Ducks should win by four, maybe five touchdowns.

It's pretty much stacked against my Wildcats -- away from home in a hostile land, in a nationally televised game with a gaudy second in the nation ranking. Compare all that to Arizona (4-0) and ranked somewhere on the charts from 26 to 30.

The Ducks waddled through an easy schedule so far with lopsided wins over South Dakota, Michigan State, and Wyoming, followed by a not-so-easy win over Washington State, so this game, in my opinion, is their first real tester and they'll be out to bury the Wildcats if they can.

Oregon couldn't get it done last year, so I predict...nope,  I said I wasn't going to do that this week. Instead, I'll be on the edge of my seat...and I'll pray a lot.

Daliege, Thompson top TOTS' hitters in September

TOTS Senior Baseball Network


60-and-over baseball

Bob Daliege and Doc Thompson were the leading hitters in the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club for the month of September. Daliege, who played in eight games, collected the most hits with a 13 for 24 performance and a .542 batting average, while Thompson, who played in seven games,  went a blistering 12 for 18 for a .667 clip.

Thompson was the top RBI man for the month with 13, while Tim Tolson finished second in runs-batted-in with 12 and Daliege was third with 11.

Other notable hitting performances included: Ted Davis (five games, 10 for 14, a .714 average), Ron Petersen (six games, 11 for 17, a .647 average), Joe Opocensky (four games, 5 for 8, a .625 average -- including two doubles and a triple) and Tolson (seven games, 11 for 18, a .611 average -- including four doubles).

Photos: (top) Bob Daliege, (bottom) Doc Thompson.